Going Dry this July
Enhancing treatment experiences at Flinders
Your amazing support last year helped us bring a SOZO machine to the Breast Care Clinic, improving care for breast cancer patients. Now, we're focusing on improving the experience of patients receiving chemotherapy at the Flinders Infusion Suite by ensuring smoother, less stressful venous access.
With your help we can help us ease needle worries for cancer patients by funding an ultrasound machine for the Flinders Infusion Suite.
About the ultrasound machine
This year, our goal is to raise enough funds to equip the Flinders Infusion Suite with a handheld ultrasound device specifically designed to assist with difficult venous access. This device, along with its trolley unit, uses ultrasound technology to project images onto an iPad, helping nurses locate veins accurately and efficiently. By minimising the need for multiple attempts at cannulation, this equipment aims to reduce patient anxiety, enhance comfort, and improve overall treatment experiences.
Benefits to patients and staff
The benefits of this ultrasound machine extend beyond simple vein location. It not only reduces patient anxiety by ensuring the needle goes in the right place on the first attempt but also reduces the risk of infections and saves time for both patients and staff.
With over 11,000 episodes of care per year, the Flinders Infusion Suite sees a significant number of patients, representing various cancers and conditions. With this vital piece of equipment, the Infusion Suite can streamline the treatment process, alleviate patient stress, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
"Knowing the nurse will be able to find the vein is a huge stress relief for patients,” says Joan Schumacher, Nurse Unit Manager, Flinders Infusion Suite and Noarlunga Infusion Centre.
"They're going through so much already, they don't need multiple attempts to put a cannula in, this will be one less stress in their day."
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Why we need your help
Despite its numerous benefits, the Flinders Infusion Suite currently operates without this essential equipment. Traditionally, multiple attempts at cannulation were accepted as standard practice, leading to unnecessary stress and discomfort for patients.
With the introduction of the ultrasound machine, vein location and cannulation will become a smoother, more reliable process for both patients and staff. It could also avoid the need for some patients to have a permanently inserted line or PICC to gain easier access to veins.
How to get involved
Your commitment to Dry July directly supports our efforts to bring an ultrasound machine to the Flinders Infusion Suite. By going alcohol-free for the month of July and getting your friends, family, and colleagues on board, you'll be making a real difference in the lives of cancer patients at Flinders. Every donation, large or small, brings us closer to our goal of enhancing patient care and comfort.
Don’t drink alcohol?
How about swapping out coffee, soft drink or chocolate for the month? Whichever way you choose to ‘Go Dry’, you’ll be helping patients affected by cancer at Flinders.
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Help us ease needle worries for cancer patients
This year, Flinders Foundation’s goal is to raise enough funds to equip the Flinders Infusion Suite with a handheld ultrasound device specifically designed to assist with difficult venous access.
By joining us you won’t just be helping provide equipment, you’ll be offering peace of mind, comfort, and dignity to people undergoing chemotherapy.
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Head office
Flinders Drive
Bedford Park 5042 SA
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Flinders Foundation acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Flinders precinct was established. We acknowledge the Kaurna people’s deep and ongoing connection to land, waters and community, and pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.
